Note: UNTIMELY registration (after your song has been stolen) qualifies you only for the “actual money damages” you can prove -- a very expensive process involving auditors and investigators. You no longer get the $150,000 award, and you no longer get your legal fees and court costs paid. Even if you win the case, by the time you pay your lawyer, auditors and investigators you may not get a dime!

5. If someone wants to record your song, they owe you mechanical royalties . . . if the song is registered. However . . .

"The licensee does not have to pay if there is no record of copyright registration filed at the Library of Congress."